Ameresco and the City of Phoenix have unveiled plans to develop a wastewater biogas-to-energy facility in Arizona, US.
Renewable energy firm Ameresco will design, construct, own, operate and maintain the facility, which will be built at the City of Phoenix-operated 91st Ave Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
The Sub-Regional Operating Group (SROG), consisting of Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Tempe, own the WWTP.
The 91st Ave biogas project will process the raw biogas produced in the anaerobic digesters into renewable natural gas (RNG). It will be sold to the vehicle market via the natural gas pipeline grid.
Ameresco said the biogas is a mixture of different gasses produced through the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter that is delivered to the WWTP.
The size of the project is expected to be at least 3,250 standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) capacity. It is anticipated to start operations in late 2017.
Ameresco claims that when completed, this project would be the largest of its kind in US.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said: “This cutting-edge partnership will enable Phoenix to turn wasted biogas from the plant’s digesters into green gas that can be sold for profit.
“This is a business opportunity that also improves air quality and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which moves Phoenix closer to our goal of 15 percent renewable energy citywide.”
With this project, it is expected that about 45,000 tons of carbon emissions per year will be eliminated.
Ameresco senior vice president Michael T. Bakas said: “The exceptional aspect of this project is the ability to capture a wasted resource and utilize it, thereby efficiently making use of this renewable energy asset.
“Ameresco is honored to be partnering with the Sub-Regional Operating Group and we’re looking forward to making this project a reality for a community that recognizes the tremendous value and importance of environmental stewardship while improving infrastructure and reducing costs.”